Benefits of breastfeeding
There is nothing more healthy and natural for your baby than breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding helps lay the foundations of a healthy life for a baby and also makes a positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of mothers.
See also:
- Stages of breastfeeding - information on the benefits at each stage (preparing, starting out, establishing and continuing).
Benefits for baby
- Breastmilk is easily digested and is free, always fresh and immediately available.
- A mother with a healthy diet provides breastmilk with a perfect blend of nutrients and protective antibodies (although it doesn’t replace the need for immunisations).
- Breastfeeding helps baby grow and develop physically and emotionally
- Breastfeeding and breastmilk helps protect a baby from chest infections, meningitis, ear infections and urine infections.
- Breastfeeding decreases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).
- Breastfeeding and breastmilk may protect a baby from chronic tummy problems and some childhood cancers - there is also evidence of a reduced risk of allergies, eczema and asthma.
- Breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of obesity and may help reduce the risk of diabetes in baby’s later life.
Benefits for mothers
- Breastfeeding helps mothers recover from birth.
- Skin-to-skin contact is a wonderful way to start intimately connecting with your baby and a great boost to breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding reduces the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer in mothers.
- Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and hip fracture in mothers later in life.
- Breastfeeding may help mum to lose the weight gained through pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding can be part of a healthier lifestyle for mum.
Exclusive breastfeeding
- Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until babies are around six months (only breastmilk, from the breast or expressed, and prescribed medicines have been given from birth), with breastfeeding continuing until at least one year or beyond.
- Exclusively breastfed infants can meet their fluid requirements with breastmilk and do not need water or any other drinks or food until around six months of age.
- After around six months of age, exclusive breastfeeding alone is not enough for baby to grow and develop – complementary foods (solids) should be introduced with breastfeeding continuing until at least one year or beyond.
- When away from baby, giving expressed breastmilk to baby is better than using infant formula.
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